Elizabeth Rosalee (Betty Rose) Forssell, age 94, of Williamsburg, VA, died Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Patriot’s Colony of Williamsburg VA.
She was born August 6, 1930, in Houston, TX, a daughter of the late Harry Blatchley and Veva Rosalind Karickhoff Milligan.
She grew up on a farm outside of Buckhannon, WV, and graduated from Buckhannon-Upshur High School in 1948. Betty Rose graduated from WVWC in 1952 and did her dietetics internship at Philadelphia General Hospital. She met Alan Forssell in Philadelphia and got married on September 25, 1955.
Betty Rose was a homemaker and a Christian by faith. She was a Girl Scout leader and the president of the Arlington chapter of Aglow International for many years. She played the autoharp and loved to garden. She was a devoted wife, wonderful mother, and a loving grandmother. She easily made friends.
Betty Rose struggled with dementia for a long time. Throughout this struggle she kept her sharp wit and humor. She was feisty to the end.
Alan Forssell preceded her in death on March 16, 2015.
She is survived by three children, Carol Forssell of Suffolk, VA, Eric Forssell and wife Diane of Laurel, MD, and Cathy Cross and husband Tim of Williamsburg, VA; five grandchildren, Kirby Wedan and husband Steven of Springfield, VA, Caleb Forssell and partner Rylee Jeffries of Frederick, MD, Ellery Forssell of Laurel, MD, April Farulli and husband Vince of New Kent, VA, and Natalie Cross and fiancé Ryan Murphy of Arlington, VA; one great-grandson, Sam Wedan of Springfield, VA; and two cousins, Jean Matheny of Murray, KY and David Wilson of Crouseville, ME.
Friends will be received Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 1 PM with Pastor Jim Minutelli officiating. Burial will follow in the Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Family Promise of the Coastal Empire, PO Box 22023, Savannah GA 31403.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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